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The Companion

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'The Companion' by E.E. Ottoman is a cozy, warm, and queer polyamorous romance set in a historical cottagecore setting in 1948. The story follows Madeline as she navigates her relationships with Victor and Audrey, exploring themes of love, communication, and self-discovery. The book beautifully weaves together the dynamics between the characters, creating a soft and hopeful atmosphere that is both sensual and comforting. Through lush descriptions of the setting, food, and relationships, the author invites readers into a world where the characters find solace and love in each other's company.

Characters:

The characters are richly developed, showcasing layered personalities and emotional depth in their interactions.

Writing/Prose:

The writing style is characterized by its calming prose and vivid imagery, crafting a peaceful atmosphere.

Plot/Storyline:

The narrative follows Madeline as she transitions into a polyamorous relationship with her roommates, exploring love and intimacy.

Setting:

The setting is a tranquil, rural area in post-WWII New York, contributing to the book's cozy and idyllic atmosphere.

Pacing:

The pacing is deliberate, focusing on character development and emotional interactions, with some moments of intimacy introduced early on.

Notes:

The Companion is set in late 1940s New York and features three trans main characters.
The story includes a polyamorous relationship between two trans women and one trans man.
The book has a cozy and peaceful atmosphere, making it a good escape from reality.
The characters in the book deal with their past traumas while finding comfort in each other.
There is a focus on communication and emotional depth in the relationships.
The writing includes beautiful descriptions of intimacy and nature.
The book is described as having a cottagecore aesthetic, highlighting a rural setting and simple pleasures.
While the story addresses issues like transphobia and sexism, these elements are handled gently and not depicted in a traumatic way.
Some readers found the romance to be low angst and soft, with not much external conflict.
The author, E.E. Ottoman, primarily writes about trans and queer characters.

Sensitive Topics/Content Warnings

The book includes content warnings for discussions of transphobia, transmisia, and references to societal violence, though these are not depicted on-page.

Has Romance?

The romance in The Companion is highly present, centered around the polyamorous relationships among the three main characters.

From The Publisher:

New York, 1948

After years of trying to break into New York City's literary scene, Madeline Slaughter is emotionally and physically exhausted. When a friend offers her a safe haven as the live-in companion to reclusive, bestselling novelist Victor Hallowell she jumps at the chance to escape the city. Madeline expects to find rest and quiet in the forests of Upstate New York. Instead, she finds Victor, handsome and intensely passionate, and Audrey Coffin, Victor's mysterious and beautiful neighbor. When Victor offers her a kiss and the promise of more Madeline allows herself to become entangled even as Audrey is also claiming her heart. The only problem is that Audrey and Victor are ex-lovers with plenty of baggage between them. As Madeline finds herself opening up and falling in love with both she starts to wonder, can there be a future for all three?

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Liked It (1)

Reader Stats (7):

Read It (1)
Want To Read (4)
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1 comment(s)

Liked It
1 month

This is a low-key story. Three trans people (one man, two women) in upstate New York in the late 1940s write, cook, and have sex and feelings. I'm not as in love with it as many people I know, but I enjoyed it.

 
 
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